Local Notes: Swinford Killasser LGFA attend Mayo LGFA Awards Ceremony
Claudine Brennan, Rhona Brennan and Lauren Crawford of Swinford Killasser LGFA at the Mayo LGFA Awards Ceremony.
The Mayo LGFA Awards ceremony took place on Sunday, February4, in Castlebar. Swinford Killasser LGFA U14 player Claudine Brennan and her Mayo teammates were presented with their All Ireland LGFA U14A winners medal by current Mayo GAA star Tommy Conroy. Well done Claudine, the club is very proud of you. Alongside Claudine’s success, U16 players Rhona Brennan (Claudine’s sister) and Lauren Crawford who were part of the Connaught final winning Mayo LGFA U16 team, were presented with their medals by current Mayo LGFA senior player Danielle Caldwell. A double celebration in the Brennan household. Well done to the fantastic trio. Rhona and Lauren represented Mayo against Cavan, in a challenge match on Saturday, February 10, in Swinford Amenity Park.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 after 6pm. Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday evening.
Preparations are in full swing for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Swinford this year. Cathal Kelly has retired as chair of the committee having ably served as chair for the past 10 years. Cathal remains on the committee this year having already served 20 years, truly a dedicated community man. Megan Durkan has been appointed as chairperson of this year’s parade committee and she is wished well in her role. The committee has agreed that this year’s parade theme shall be “Irish TV’s and Movies”. There is plenty of scope for the imagination with that theme, so the committee is expecting lots of creative entries. Members of this year’s committee will be reaching out directly to all clubs, organisations, schools, individuals and businesses in Swinford and the surrounding parishes and villages to consider entering a float or a band or to support the parade to make this year’s parade a day to remember. Keep an eye on social media for updates.
Killasser Community Bingo will be held on Tuesday, February 13, in the committee room in Killasser Community Centre. The first house will be at 8pm. There will be 10 games in total, 8 for a line and a house, a snowball game for €160 and a new jackpot game for €500.
Alone is looking for volunteers in Swinford, Foxford and surrounding areas to visit older people in the community for one hour per week. This one hour will help older people combat loneliness and isolation and improve the quality of their life. For further information contact Paul on 086 0135043 or email paul.stafford@alone.ie.
To mark St. Valentine’s Day Bishop Paul Dempsey will lead a Service of Blessing for engaged couples and those marking significant anniversaries during 2024 in the Cathedral in Ballaghaderreen on Sunday, February 18, at 4pm. All engaged couples and those marking significant wedding anniversaries are invited to attend.
The Saturday evening choir in Swinford church is looking for new members. If you enjoy singing or playing music and would like to join, contact Marie on 086 2805222.
Swinford local election candidate for Fine Gael, Antoinette Peyton, is urging members of the public to check the register for the two upcoming referendums on March 8. Ms. Peyton said: ‘On 8th March 2024, Irish citizens will be asked to vote in two referendums to change our constitution. The first referendum concerns the concept of Family in the Constitution. The second referendum proposes to delete an existing part of the constitution and insert new text providing recognition for care provided by family members to each other.’ Ms Peyton continued ‘If you have reached the age of 18 on polling day, are an Irish citizen and living in the state, you have the right to vote in these referendums, but you must also be on the electoral register.’ ‘The deadline to register to vote in these referendums is February 20, which is fast approaching. Details on how to register or change your details can be found on checktheregister.ie along with online application forms.’
Whilst Dublin met Mayo in McHale Park last weekend and the Mayo ladies were in action against Dublin in Ballina, the real action between Dublin v Mayo was taking place in the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence, Bekan on Sunday, February 4. The U10 Swinford Killasser LGFA teams participated in a blitz organised by Ballinteer St Johns GAA , Dublin. A great day was had by all as teams from Swinford, Kiltimagh and Moy Davitts took on the girls from Dublin. It was a great atmosphere of fun and an opportunity to foster friendships. Well done to all the girls, their coaches and managers and of course the parents for all their support!
Information on Scór na bPáisti was sent to primary schools last month. The competition which is run by the GAA is open to children of primary school age. The divisional East Mayo final is taking place on Wednesday, February 21, in Kilmovee Community Centre. There are 11 categories in Scór na bPáistí that cover all aspects of Irish culture: Rince Foirne/Figure Dancing, Amhránaíocht Aonair/Solo Singing, Bailéad Ghrúpa/Ballad Group, Aithriseoireacht-Scéalaíocht/Recitation-Scéalaíocht, Nuachleas/Novelty Act, Ceol Uirlise/Instrumental Music, Rince Seit/Set Dancing, Tráth na gCeist/Table Quiz, Rince Aonair/Solo Dance, Ceol Aonair/Solo Music and Rince ar Seanós/Seanós Dancing. More information can be obtained from scor.mayo@gaa.ie or on the Scor Mhaigh Eo Facebook page.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on February 6, were 10, 14, 27 and 28. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Monica Smith, Castleroyan and Geraldine Carter, Market Street. €35 was won by Marian Higgins, River Garden. The jackpot is now €10,600.
Sláinte Care Healthy Communities with Age Friendly Mayo are organising a health and wellbeing event, ‘Valentine’s Vitality’. This will be hosted in the Great National Hotel in Ballina from 10am to 1pm on Valentines Day. This event will be aimed at those aged 55+. Information around overall health, fitness and nutrition will be provided, with speakers on the day also, to advise on various aspects of wellbeing. CROI will provide free blood pressure checks. Refreshments will be served. This event is free. For further information email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.”
The Coolegrane Lights raised €7,235 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice over the festive season. Thank you to everyone who donated to the charity.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Maura Hanley, Dublin Road, Maynooth, Co. Kildare and late of Killasser, Swinford; Nancy Mulligan, Rathdubh, Swinford; Packie O’Donnell, Donegal and Birmingham (brother-in-law of Michael Durkan, Cashelbarnagh), Judith Holme, Ardhoome, Meelick and Bolton, England; Sean Coleman, USA (son of Carmel Costello Coleman). May they rest in peace.
Congratulations to Luke McNicholas who was last week’s winner of the Swinford GAA Club 50/50 draw held in Melletts Emporium winning €398. The next draw will take place on Tuesday, February 13, in Eurospar. Entries are available through SwinfordGAA.ie, Foireann, Clubspot and throughout town.
Congratulations to Tara Farren, who won €600 in the January Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw with Karen Convey and Paul McNeela winning €20 spot prize each. The next draw will take place on Saturday, March 2.
Results of the game played on February 1, were; card winners Gerry Ronayne, Anne Rowley, Mary Lynskey, Michael Lynskey, Phyllis Bredican, Nuala Killgallon, John Gallagher and Brian McNulty. Raffle prizes were won by Peter Geraghty, Margaret Sweeney, Philip Irwin, John Gallagher and Eileen Geraghty. Game continues every Thursday night in Swinford Golf Club at 9pm.
Results of the game played in Meelick Community Centre on Tuesday, February 6, were; Card winners Jason Maughan, Noreen Geraghty, Tom Durkan, Michael Ward, Seamus Conwell and Philip Moore. Raffle prizes were won by Esther Munnelly, Michael Ward, Geraldine Turbitt, Michael O’Neill, John Gallagher and Maureen Morley. Game continues every Tuesday in Meelick Community Centre at 9pm.
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Tommy Moran is organising a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. For further information, contact Tommy Moran on 086 081 5635.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €550 on 45 calls or less, the house lotto is €360 on 4 correct numbers. The 50/50 draw with a guaranteed weekly winner is also available.
Kilmovee Swimming Pool and Aqua Sports Club will hold an annual general meeting on Thursday, February 15, at 8pm, in Kilmovee Community Centre. They look forward to seeing you there and supporting this valuable community facility.
A celebration will take place in St Nathy’s Cathedral on Sunday, February 18, at 4pm to honour all married couples’ special anniversaries this year. Bishop Paul Dempsey will lead this celebration.
The numbers drawn for Saturday, January 27, in the Shamrocks GAA lotto were 8, 24, 32, and 41. There was no winner.
The death took place of Hubert Hardiman, Mount Irwin, Gurteen, Co. Sligo and formerly of Moyne, Ballaghaderreen, on February 2, peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. Hubert is survived by his wife Celia, son Michael, daughters Anita (Conroy), Gina and Shauna (Horan), grandchildren Thomas, Grace and Katrina, great-grandchildren Hughie and Lucy, sons-in-law John and Paul, Gina’s partner Claire, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Hubert reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen, on Sunday, February 4, with removal from his home on Monday, February 5, arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 2.30pm, followed by interment in Gurteen Cemetery. May Hubert rest in peace as sincere sympathy is offered to all who are bereaved.
